Nail Your Regimen Challenge 2014

[faithVA]

I did a flat twist updo last night. Hopefully some pics soon. The only thing is that I'm not sure how to moisturize without making it look fuzzy. I usually try to moisturize twice daily...

Can't wait to see your pics. No tips on moisturizing. I just spritz mine and don't worry about it.

 

[Cocoloves]

I know it's been said but I experienced it this month. My hair regimen can't be dictated by a timeline. I had to do a trim weeks before I planned, and did a strong protein treatment just because it was time and ended up with protein overload. Now as I work to get the moisture back I realize I am going to just listen to my hair and do what is needed at the time.

 

[faithVA]

I know it's been said but I experienced it this month. My hair regimen can't be dictated by a timeline. I had to do a trim weeks before I planned, and did a strong protein treatment just because it was time and ended up with protein overload. Now as I work to get the moisture back I realize I am going to just listen to my hair and do what is needed at the time.

Yeah, I think only people whose hair needs protein regularly can do it on schedule. You will get it balanced out

 

[Ogoma]

Yeah, I think only people whose hair needs protein regularly can do it on schedule. You will get it balanced out

I need a schedule, I just don't know what that schedule should be exactly. I don't need it monthly, but would quarterly be too long a wait? To add to the complication, it depends on what else I am doing with my hair - cowashing mid week, DCing for long periods of time etc. I could probably go 6 months if I am just washing and conditioning my hair weekly.

I guess that is why I am in this challenge to figure it all out.

 

[naija24]

I need to join this. I've been lacking a regimen for some time but it's hard because I'm always bouncing between relaxed or natural or transitioning. I wish I could just BC like before but WHATEVER.


Natural - Relaxed – Texturized/Texlaxed - Transitioning: Relaxed, but I have about 2 inches of texlaxed hair which is annoying.
Current Length: Layered neck length
Current Products: Right now I love Aussie Moist line. Its crazy hard to moisturize my hair but I found that this line works really well for that.
Current Techniques: I don't really have a technique. That's what I'm working on right now. I really like not using heat tools, I prefer wet wrapping my hair and sitting under the dryer or rollersetting via the salon. Er...I hate protective styles so I guess I'd prefer to be low-manipulation, ie I style my hair once and don't touch it again for 3-4 weeks.
What in your regimen are trying to nail: Retaining moisture. My hair dries out crazy quick and I don't know why. I'd also like to know how to maintain straight hair without heat tools once you get some solid new growth. I suck at rollersetting so any suggestions there would help.
What's your starting strategy: I'd love to master self-relaxing, so I can relax on my own schedule, in my house, and save the money.
Anything else you want to share: I have trouble retaining my length in the winter. It's only this season when I get seriously frustrated, but the rest of the year, my hair pretty much flourishes.

This is what I currently do when my hair isn't acting a fool.

Cowashing twice a week (every day post swim lesson) with Aussie Moist Conditioner
Shampooing once a week on Saturdays with Aussie Moist Shampoo
No heat for at least 4-5 weeks before new growth becomes a headache or when I get touchups which right now will be every 8 weeks, no stretching. I lose more hair stretching than anything else.
I detangle in the shower when conditioner is in my hair.

I need help with my MS process though. Everything seems to make my hair feel really dry and crunchy, so I assume that makes me really low porosity. Any suggestions? I'm like a serious type 4c and my hair is dense.

 

[Cocoloves]

I need a schedule, I just don't know what that schedule should be exactly. I don't need it monthly, but would quarterly be too long a wait? To add to the complication, it depends on what else I am doing with my hair - cowashing mid week, DCing for long periods of time etc. I could probably go 6 months if I am just washing and conditioning my hair weekly.

I guess that is why I am in this challenge to figure it all out.

I think the schedule is regularly listen to your hair. If it says wash me do it or what ever it takes to make it look good. I was on a good run until I didn't listen and stuck to an arbitrary schedule.

 

[faithVA]

I need a schedule, I just don't know what that schedule should be exactly. I don't need it monthly, but would quarterly be too long a wait? To add to the complication, it depends on what else I am doing with my hair - cowashing mid week, DCing for long periods of time etc. I could probably go 6 months if I am just washing and conditioning my hair weekly.

I guess that is why I am in this challenge to figure it all out.

I don't think quarterly is too long to wait. Put it on your schedule for quarterly and if you find you need it earlier then just do it every other month. When I had my Komaza analysis she said that I would only need protein every 4 to 6 months, if at all.

You should be able to extend them, especially if you don't do extend DC sessions which I think are said to cause changes in the protein in our hair.

 

[faithVA]

I need to join this. I've been lacking a regimen for some time but it's hard because I'm always bouncing between relaxed or natural or transitioning. I wish I could just BC like before but WHATEVER.


Natural - Relaxed – Texturized/Texlaxed - Transitioning: Relaxed, but I have about 2 inches of texlaxed hair which is annoying.
Current Length: Layered neck length
Current Products: Right now I love Aussie Moist line. Its crazy hard to moisturize my hair but I found that this line works really well for that.
Current Techniques: I don't really have a technique. That's what I'm working on right now. I really like not using heat tools, I prefer wet wrapping my hair and sitting under the dryer or rollersetting via the salon. Er...I hate protective styles so I guess I'd prefer to be low-manipulation, ie I style my hair once and don't touch it again for 3-4 weeks.
What in your regimen are trying to nail: Retaining moisture. My hair dries out crazy quick and I don't know why. I'd also like to know how to maintain straight hair without heat tools once you get some solid new growth. I suck at rollersetting so any suggestions there would help.
What's your starting strategy: I'd love to master self-relaxing, so I can relax on my own schedule, in my house, and save the money.
Anything else you want to share: I have trouble retaining my length in the winter. It's only this season when I get seriously frustrated, but the rest of the year, my hair pretty much flourishes.

This is what I currently do when my hair isn't acting a fool.

Cowashing twice a week (every day post swim lesson) with Aussie Moist Conditioner
Shampooing once a week on Saturdays with Aussie Moist Shampoo
No heat for at least 4-5 weeks before new growth becomes a headache or when I get touchups which right now will be every 8 weeks, no stretching. I lose more hair stretching than anything else.
I detangle in the shower when conditioner is in my hair.

I need help with my MS process though. Everything seems to make my hair feel really dry and crunchy, so I assume that makes me really low porosity. Any suggestions? I'm like a serious type 4c and my hair is dense.

Welcome naija24

I'm not sure you are low porosity. Dry, crunchy hair can be associated with many things: needing to clarify; lack of protein; low porosity; heat damage, etc.

Since you are relaxed, do you have a protein treatment schedule?

 

[spellinto]

"Cowashed" with the L'Oreal Damage Erasing Balm and finger detangled with Just for Me! Leave In Detangler. I am happy with these new purchases so far ! The balm left my hair smooth, soft, nicely-scented, frizz-free, and didn't make my hair clumpgrin:!!!)...very consistent with the results from when I used it a long time ago. The detangler offered a lot of slip. (I plan on posting reviews of these on my blog so I won't flood this thread with details here). Very happy with my air drying results! This is a pic of my hair right before I cross-wrapped. It will be a lot smoother (less voluminous) in the morning. (Please excuse my face...I was a little sleepy )

 

[snoop]

Very happy with my air drying results! This is a pic of my hair right before I cross-wrapped. It will be a lot smoother (less voluminous) in the morning. (Please excuse my face...I was a little sleepy )

I love your hair!

 

[snoop]

I posted this in the APL/BSL 2014 Challenge yesterday by mistake, so I'll just repost here:

So as promised, I'm posting picks of my attempt at a two strand twist updo, based on this video.

I definitely need to practice doing two strand twists more.

As for moisturizing it, I spritzed this morning and then slathered on some hair cream then baggyed under my winter hat. I figured that if any of the cream wasn't rubbed in properly, it would get steamed in from baggying. It worked, so I'll just do that every morning.

 

[faithVA]

spellinto[/USER];19625961]"Cowashed" with the L'Oreal Damage Erasing Balm and finger detangled with Just for Me! Leave In Detangler. I am happy with these new purchases so far ! The balm left my hair smooth, soft, nicely-scented, frizz-free, and didn't make my hair clumpgrin:!!!)...very consistent with the results from when I used it a long time ago. The detangler offered a lot of slip. (I plan on posting reviews of these on my blog so I won't flood this thread with details here). Very happy with my air drying results! This is a pic of my hair right before I cross-wrapped. It will be a lot smoother (less voluminous) in the morning. (Please excuse my face...I was a little sleepy )

Please feel free to flood this thread with whatever you like. You never know who you might help. I certainly don't mind you sharing your reviews here. And if you post it here, you can click the blog button and you get a twofer

 

[faithVA]

I posted this in the APL/BSL 2014 Challenge yesterday by mistake, so I'll just repost here:

So as promised, I'm posting picks of my attempt at a two strand twist updo, based on this video.

I definitely need to practice doing two strand twists more.

As for moisturizing it, I spritzed this morning and then slathered on some hair cream then baggyed under my winter hat. I figured that if any of the cream wasn't rubbed in properly, it would get steamed in from baggying. It worked, so I'll just do that every morning.

Nice protective style. You will definitely get better with practice. It will come

 

[Ogoma]

I think I might put my hair in twists this weekend or next. I will keep it until the end of March. I want a new look.

 

[spellinto]

I love your hair!

snoop

 

[naija24]

faithVA I do not have a protein regimen. My hair doesn't suffer from breakage unless I stretch too long and don't straighten my hair in some way. Most of the hair I lose during hair days is shedding and usually it's a lot

 

[faithVA]

naija24;19628355[/USER]]faithVA I do not have a protein regimen. My hair doesn't suffer from breakage unless I stretch too long and don't straighten my hair in some way. Most of the hair I lose during hair days is shedding and usually it's a lot

You are using a chemical process in your hair which by default disturbs the protein in your hair. You should be doing something to replenish that protein layer. Within a week of a chemical process, a protein treatment is recommended. The holes that occur in the protein will not fill themselves, that is the purpose of the protein treatment.

You may want to ask in the Relaxed Support Thread for more information.

 

[naija24]

I use cantu Shea butter maybe once a week and I know that has protein but idk if it works the same way

 

[faithVA]

naija24;19628637[/USER]]I use cantu Shea butter maybe once a week and I know that has protein but idk if it works the same way

It isn't the same. That is a surface level protein. You are looking for something that penetrates the strands. Protein treatments are typically some type of conditioner.

 

[toaster]

naija24 One weekend if you have time I would do a search for threads started by DDTexlaxed. The threads are probably old, but she was having a difficult time deciding between being relaxed or natural and looking for a regimen and she got a lot of good advice. I notice your questions around the board and I was struck by the similarities and I think that little bit of research might help you. The advice may be "old" but I think it's still applicable.

 

[spellinto]

ETA: I'm changing this post. Originally I said I was pleased with my NG mix (water, NTM, and coconut oil combo) but now I remember why I stopped using it in the first place. If I try to style my hair with it, it causes matting. Anything that makes my NG feel "wet" before I style is not a good idea Glad I caught the signs before it was too late!

Now I'm testing the Just for Me leave in to see if it brings moisture as well as slip. I've distributed some all over my new growth (smoothing it in with my palms...I don't spray directly to avoid the "wet" feeling). No residual feeling so far. I'll take my bun down in a few hours and compare how my NG feels.

 

[Beany]

To combat the matting that occurs when I bun, I've been taking my hair down every night and putting it in twists (sometimes 2, sometimes 4, last night 8). It's weird seeing shed hair everyday (I usually PS for the week)

Yesterday before work I used TMN alma and avocado leave in and WGHO and my hair was kinda hard when I took it down last night. I know it's most likely the aloe in the TMN product.

Last night I applied TMN Ayurvedic tea and silk and honey latte on damp hair and sealed my ends and perimeter (so dry smh) with MHC Buttery Soy. My hair was so shiny this morning when I bunned.

ETA: I baggied last night too

 

[ckisland]

spellinto , your hair is gorgeous!! Inspiration worthy actually . I have no idea how I missed your blog, but I am all up in it now

 

[spellinto]

spellinto , your hair is gorgeous!! Inspiration worthy actually . I have no idea how I missed your blog, but I am all up in it now

ckisland: Thank you, and thank you for visiting my blog! My hair is still a work in progress though

 

[naija24]

naija24 One weekend if you have time I would do a search for threads started by DDTexlaxed. The threads are probably old, but she was having a difficult time deciding between being relaxed or natural and looking for a regimen and she got a lot of good advice. I notice your questions around the board and I was struck by the similarities and I think that little bit of research might help you. The advice may be "old" but I think it's still applicable.

toaster, Jesus, I hope I don't come off that indecisive. I would not BC that many times in such a short period. But it was helpful to read. Put things in perspective.

Personally, I really don't care about being natural or relaxed. I've been both enough times and I know how to deal with both. I guess my problem has always been that in the past, unlike many girls, I NEVER cared about having long hair. So I could rock a fade or CBL length relaxed hair and not care either way because it was just hair and it could grow back. Whatever. Now I have a boyfriend that really likes long hair and hates most natural hair styles and is my first serious relationship, I'm trying to appease him (he didn't force me to grow long hair though).

Now I have to consider all these techniques and regimens to grow out my hair and being careful with my roots and my ends, and moisture/protein balance and avoiding heat, protective styling, relaxer stretching, etc etc. That's what been frustrating, having all of these options! I have anxiety and have a hard time sticking to one thing and potentially missing out on something else. Plus because I'm very low-maintenance so all these regimens that have been recommended seem very tedious for someone like me. Hair is not big a deal to me. Making it a big deal and trying to grow my hair out is like shoving a cube into a circle. it's not fitting with me well.

But I'm gonna try to grow my hair out a bit more (CBL or APL) and i'm right now neck length and that's cool. But I think either way, I'd like something that doesn't take up 3 hours of day just to wash it, or stress me out styling it. I like my hair either shaved (not an option), a pixie (too difficult to grow out) or straight bob.

I hope that explains my inconsistency. And I guess i'm sorry if i annoyed anyone with my many questions.

 

[HanaKuroi]

toaster, Jesus, I hope I don't come off that indecisive. I would not BC that many times in such a short period. But it was helpful to read. Put things in perspective.

Personally, I really don't care about being natural or relaxed. I've been both enough times and I know how to deal with both. I guess my problem has always been that in the past, unlike many girls, I NEVER cared about having long hair. So I could rock a fade or CBL length relaxed hair and not care either way because it was just hair and it could grow back. Whatever. Now I have a boyfriend that really likes long hair and hates most natural hair styles and is my first serious relationship, I'm trying to appease him (he didn't force me to grow long hair though).

Now I have to consider all these techniques and regimens to grow out my hair and being careful with my roots and my ends, and moisture/protein balance and avoiding heat, protective styling, relaxer stretching, etc etc. That's what been frustrating, having all of these options! I have anxiety and have a hard time sticking to one thing and potentially missing out on something else. Plus because I'm very low-maintenance so all these regimens that have been recommended seem very tedious for someone like me. Hair is not big a deal to me. Making it a big deal and trying to grow my hair out is like shoving a cube into a circle. it's not fitting with me well.

But I'm gonna try to grow my hair out a bit more (CBL or APL) and i'm right now neck length and that's cool. But I think either way, I'd like something that doesn't take up 3 hours of day just to wash it, or stress me out styling it. I like my hair either shaved (not an option), a pixie (too difficult to grow out) or straight bob.

I hope that explains my inconsistency. And I guess i'm sorry if i annoyed anyone with my many questions.

All of your hair woes are because you are trying to keep your boyfriend? You are doing all of this for him? Well, I hope he is paying for your products and salon visits.

Sent from my iPad using LHCF

 

[naija24]

HanaKuroi I feel that that's a very simplistic response to what I wrote. It's like you didn't even see the third paragraph. :/

 

[HanaKuroi]

HanaKuroi I feel that that's a very simplistic response to what I wrote. It's like you didn't even see the third paragraph. :/

It always boils down to your boyfriend. Always.

Sent from my iPad using LHCF

 

[HanaKuroi]

It always boils down to your boyfriend. Always.

Sent from my iPad using LHCF

Why can't he accept you as you are? I cannot imagine doing all that for my husband let alone a boyfriend.

Sent from my iPad using LHCF

 

[toaster]

naija24

I didn't meant to offend you! I just thought it would be helpful to look at threads where some answers were already provided as opposed to having to wait for answers. The ladies on this board are awesome and helpful but I think the archives are also very useful. I hope it helped at least a little!